The Morgan County Democrats, Saturday, gathered at Elaine's Place to hold their annual Big 10 Dinner and heard from Joe Neguse who is running for Secretary of State.

Neguse spoke about his desire to empower voters through the Secretary of State's Office.

"It really begins with the right to vote," he said. "Ultimately the right to directly participate in your democracy, a right that does not exist in a lot of places in the world."

He said citizens' rights to vote have been "under attack" across the country, including in Colorado. He said current Secretary of State Scott Gessler has been using "every tool in his toolbox" to restrict the right to vote.

"I think the time to end that is now and I intend to end that this November," he said. "I think we should have a Secretary of State whose principle purpose is empowering voters. We have never solved a problem with less democracy."

He also emphasized that he would improve the business side of the Secretary of State's office.

"We could be doing so much more," he said. "I plan to do that if elected this November."

Neguse is a business attorney in Broomfield and serves on the board of regents for the University of Colorado.

He is a first-generation American. His parents fled a civil war in Eritrea more than 30 years ago, he said.

"They were able to make it and achieve the American dream," he said.

The gathered crowd also heard from representatives of Vic Meyers, who is running for the congressional seat currently held by Cory Gardner; and from Sen. Mark Udall who is running for reelection.

Three local candidates also spoke at the event.

Sheriff Jim Crone spoke of his decision to run for a fifth and final term as the head of the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.